Logan Square Town House
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On Philadelphia’s Register of Historic Places, the late 1800s row house in the city’s Logan Square neighborhood features a brick exterior and slate-shingled mansard roof. Yet the traditional front belies a newly renovated modern interior and rear elevation. The Logan Square Town House features a clean aesthetic and a strong connection to the outdoors. The team from k YODER design worked closely with the homeowners to balance budget and beauty in a comprehensive gut renovation and three-story rear addition.
Blending tradition and foresight, the project preserved the front façade according to the City of Philadelphia’s Historic Preservation standards. It also included sustainability measures to achieve LEED for Homes Silver certification (pending). Partnering with LEED consulting firm, ReVireo, k YODER design incorporated building envelope improvements, high performance windows, high efficiency HVAC systems, water conserving plumbing fixtures, sustainable finish materials, and FSC-certified wood products, including hybrid strand bamboo flooring (which is three times harder than red oak). The thoughtful renovation ensures the town home’s comfort and longevity.
The interior renovation exposed a brick party wall and accentuated it with a new custom metal staircase by local architectural metal fabricator, Bill Curran. The staircase maximizes light flow from all three levels. The living room includes a new fireplace with custom built-in storage. A new gourmet galley kitchen incorporates IKEA cabinet carcasses with custom doors and integrated appliances. Matte, unpolished Quartz counters are accented by gray-blueglazed brick tile. New accordion-fold doors open the kitchen’s entire rear wall to a newly landscaped garden, allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Two bedrooms, a laundry room, and a full bath occupy the second floor. The third floor boasts a master suite with a custom built-in closet/headboard feature wall. The master bath features a walk-in open shower, double vanity, and a restored bathtub that was original to the house, all naturally brightened by a new skylight above the tub. A translucent pocket door allows light to flow between the master bedroom and bath. The third floor also features a roof deck atop the new addition with stunning views of the Philadelphia skyline.
General contractor Jason Heilman provided construction and custom built-ins. Structural engineering by Rivera Structural Design, LLC.
Photos © Jeffrey Totaro